Case Number 04206

POLICE ACADEMY 3: BACK IN TRAINING

The Charge

Run For Cover!

Opening Statement

The Police Academy franchise may not rank among the funniest or
smartest comedies of the 1980s, but it certainly was the most popular. The third
installment of this screwball series more than makes up for its lackluster
predecessor by returning to familiar territory charted by the original. It's
back to basics for Mahoney and the usual gang of misfits, but there are plenty
of fresh faces to help inject new blood into this waning saga.

Facts of the Case

When the Governor announces the city can no longer financially support two
police academies, opposing Commandants Lassard (George Gaynes) and Mauser (Art
Metrano) each vie for the approval of the Governor's evaluation committee.
Bumbling graduates Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), Hightower (Bubba Smith),
Tackleberry (David Graf), Jones (Michael Winslow), Fackler (Bruce Mahler), Hooks
(Marion Ramsey), and Callahan (Leslie Easterbrook) return, this time as
instructors, to help ensure Lassard's academy will remain open.

However, things are never that easy in a Police Academy film. Mauser
and his sidekick Proctor (Lance Kinsey) are up to their old tricks, looking to
cheat and bootlick their way into the committee's good graces. A couple of
Mauser's dimwitted cronies infiltrate Lassard's academy, where they force rival
recruits into the field before their training is complete.

The Evidence

I've always maintained that Police Academy 3: Back in Training is the
best sequel in the series, rectifying many of Police Academy 2's
missteps. First of all, we're finally back at the academy, and busty instructor
Callahan returns after sitting the last film out. While the humor here is even
less bawdy than the second film, character-based comedy makes a much-needed
comeback. A good sequel should allow you to spend more time with the characters
you enjoyed in the original, and that's exactly what this film does.

The brand new cadets don't get as much screen time as the returning
graduates, but since nobody ever picked Mrs. Fackler as their favorite Police
Academy character, it's excusable. Asian exchange student Nogata (Brian
Tochi, Revenge of the Nerds) is the only new cadet to make an impact on
the series, after falling in love with Callahan. Tackleberry's brother-in-law,
Bud Kirkland (Andrew Paris), stuck around for the next film as well, although
he's a relatively forgettable character. The rest of the academy's enrollees
from this film were never seen again, including cadets Hedges (David Huband),
Adams (Shawn Weatherly), and the aforementioned Mrs. Fackler (Debralee
Scott).

Instead, it's two characters from opposite sides of the law in Police
Academy 2 who truly establish themselves as essential characters, when
reunited in this installment. After giving up a life of crime that made him the
villain in the last film, Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait, Shakes the Clown) has
enrolled as a cadet. His odd couple roommate turns out to be the nerdy jewelry
storeowner, Mr. Sweetchuck (Tim Kazurinsky, Saturday Night Live), the
nervous target of Zed's old gang. With another standout acting job by Bobcat
Goldthwait, the reformed Zed almost steals the whole show again, unintentionally
badgering Sweetchuck with a loan of shampoo and late night, all-request bongo
sessions until his roommate snaps.

The rest of the performances are really nothing to write home about. At
least everyone seems to be putting forth a little more effort than they did last
time, including the screenwriters. Sure, there are still lots of gags that don't
work in Police Academy 3, but the ones that do are memorable. In a nice
nod to the original, Georgina Spevlin, the hooker that "assisted"
Lassard during his podium speech, makes her return to help the academy. After
luring Proctor into stripping naked in her hotel room, she locks him out. He is
forced to fend for himself until he stumbles into the never-ending tango contest
at the Blue Oyster. Another well-executed gag, although similar to the prank
where Mauser's hair is ruined in the second film, features Mahoney tricking the
rival Commandant into getting his eyebrows ripped off with duct tape.

This was not only the last Police Academy movie for director Jerry
Paris, but his final film ever; he passed away the same year that Police
Academy 3 was released. Paris cut his teeth as an actor on The Dick Van
Dyke show, but became better known behind the camera, directing episodes of
The Munsters, Happy Days, and Mary Tyler Moore. While the
two Police Academy sequels he helmed are adequately directed, perhaps his
experience directing sitcoms explains why some of the sight gags in these films
are revealed with a marked lack of subtlety.

The quality of the transfer and the mono soundtrack on this release are just
okay. Occasional graininess and artifacts aren't too intrusive, although some
scenes seem a shade blurry. Dialogue is clearly understood. Don't bother holding
out for a remastered transfer and Dolby 6.1 surround, folks -- this is about the
best Police Academy 3 is ever going to look and sound.

Extras are slim, with only a trailer and an eight-minute featurette on the
making of the film. Aside from interviews with cast members and producer Paul
Maslansky, this documentary has some actual behind-the-scenes footage of stunts,
as discussed by the stunt coordinators. It's not that informative, but frankly,
it's much better than the similar featurette included with the second film.

The Rebuttal Witnesses

It may be a comfortable formula that Police Academy 3 returns to, but
it's still a formula. The cadets make some mistakes, Jones makes funny noises
with his mouth, Tackleberry tells somebody to do something "now,
Mister!" and there's an action sequence that ends when Hooks yells
"Don't move, dirtbag!" Cue end credits. It's all starting to get a bit
repetitive, although maybe not as tiresome as it became in the remaining four
sequels.

For some forgotten reason, screwball comedies in the 1980s liked to have a
scene near the end where all the beloved oddball characters show their
solidarity by singing a cringe-worthy rock song. I really hate that scene in
Revenge of the Nerds II, and I really hate it when the cadets do it here.
It's embarrassing to watch, and dates the film terribly.

Closing Statement

Everybody likes to dump on the "I can't believe they made seven of those
things" Police Academy films, perhaps because they are such an easy
target. I have no interest in defending the series from its critics, but as I
said in my Police Academy 2 review, you could really do a lot worse than
these relatively innocuous lowbrow comedies. This chapter is a necessity for the
Police Academy fanatic, and makes a good choice for those who want to
pick up only one of the sequels.

The Verdict

This release is still guilty, but the court orders a significantly reduced
sentence in light of the slanderous and false charges constantly brought against
it. Furthermore, the rest of the series is warned that the court won't be so
lenient with their cases.